Current Events

When the Poor Handmaids gathered and created a musical CD, they did not know the ripple effect that effort would create. Sales of those songs purchase elk hides. The elk hides are used by creative youth in Chicago to make their own handmade drums. The drums bring a message of PEACE to a Chicago neighborhood steeped in violence. A small stone makes many ripples.

“Over 300 youth under the age of 20 perished in Chicago in the past three years, three in the last two months,” said Father Bruce Wellems to the crowd gathered outside the Holy Cross/Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. He challenges parish members to make their own wood drums in the way of Native Americans who believe “If 100 drums beat as one, you can move the earth toward peace.” The drum is central to the Native American community and ceremony and considered to be the heartbeat of the Earth.

The St. Joseph Community Health Foundation, operated by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, recently announced $532,813 in grants to local organizations to improve health, wellness and health care access for the low-income people...

Storytelling is the art of capturing moments of our lives and sharing those experiences with others. Storytellers make you laugh, cry, relate and question. In honor of Veteran’s Day and those affected by war, five local community members shared their Personal Reflections of War on November 10, 2011 at Catherine Kasper Home Auditorium. This was the first in a series of events sponsored by the Intergenerational Living and Learning Committee and the public was invited.

The auditorium was filled to capacity. People lined the walls; youth offered their seats to the elderly. Sr. Michelle Dermody, PHJC asked for blessings on the program. May Crider, Lindenwood Event Coordinator, lead the audience in singing our national anthem. Many patriotic elderly residents rose and sang, causing nurses to spring to attention as wheelchair alarms sounded.

Terry Sanders has been named to the newly created position of Executive Director, PHJC Foundation/Vice President, Development Services effective November 14, 2011. Terry will oversee all development activities within the PHJC Foundation. She will be responsible for directing the comprehensive development office for PHJC ministries to design and propose fundraising strategies, and to obtain financial and public support for PHJC ministries.

GARY | One last Halloween ghost stuck around at Forest Ridge Academy and perched on the shoulder of middle school teacher Julie Anderson recently as she delivered a donation to Sojourner Truth House Executive Director Sr. Peg Spindler, CSA, who oversees the Gary day center for homeless and at-risk women and children.

Forest Ridge Academy middle school students raised approximately $750 for the day center by selling $1 Boo Grams, personalized notes attached to small candies or balls decorated to look like ghosts.

The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ present a seasonal concert. The Culver Academies Choir, directed by Stacey Warren, and members of the Culver Academies Band and Orchestra, directed by Major William Browne, and Chad Gard, Assistant Director, will perform a program of Christmas music and other selections on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. EST in the Ancilla Domini Chapel, PHJC Ministry Center in Donaldson, Indiana.

MoonTree Community Studios will host Artists in Action, its official open house on October 22 from 1:30 to 4:00pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The Blessing of the Buildings will take place at 2:30pm. There will be live art demonstrations, performances by local musicians and dancers, tours of the new facilities, ecological presentations, and family fun. There is no cost and refreshments will be provided. Exhibition of the Elders will be on display in the gallery. This exhibition will include works presented by the Elders of MoonTree Community.

Earthworks Market joined the nation on September 17 in the Slow Food USA $5 Challenge. Hundreds of nearby residents enjoyed a buffet of natural, whole grain, expertly prepared dishes of delectable taste sensations.

Sr. Sue Rogers, RSCJ, Director of the new Earthworks Market at 701 E. Jefferson Street in Plymouth, felt the national challenge was exactly in line with the values of the market, “Food that’s good for you, good for farmers, and good for the planet.”